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Report: Rory MacDonald Will Not Fight For UFC Welterweight Belt Next

Although the UFC has yet to announce any bout, increasingly it looks as though newly crowned, welterweight champ Robbie Lawler will fight Johny Hendricks for a third time, and not Rory MacDonald next.

Following Lawler’s tightly contested, split decision win over Hendricks at UFC 181, there’s been considerable speculation as to whether the UFC would go with a rubber match, or tap MacDonald for his title shot. Afer the latter’s stoppage win over Tarec Saffiedine in October, UFC President Dana White said MacDonald would face the winner of Hendricks-Lawler II.

According to a report from FOX Sport’s 1’s Ariel Helwani on “UFC Tonight”, however, MacDonald has relayed that he will not fight for the title next. The UFC reportedly informed the welterweight of their decision last week. Hendricks’ manager, however, is reporting they have not been told about a third fight with Lawler.

Hendricks scored a unanimous decision win over Lawler in March to win the vacant, welterweight belt, in what was also a very competitive and entertaining fight.

Since Lawler avenged the loss, and won the title, he has expressed interest in fighting Hendricks for a third time.